Joyce Anita Fitzgerald

On December 16, 2011, Joyce Anita Bias Fitzgerald passed away peacefully in her home, formerly the home of her late father Charles W. Bias and her late mother Willard T. Bias, in Baltimore, Maryland. Joyce Anita Bias was born December 9, 1940, in Tarboro, North Carolina. She “marched to the beat of her own drum” her entire life. Anyone who knew Joyce knew that she was fiercely independent. She spent her first year in Tarboro where both parents were educators. Her father followed in the family business which was education. Joyce’s paternal grandfather was Dr. John Henry Bias, founding President of Elizabeth City State Teacher’s College, now Elizabeth City State University. Initially raised in Catholic school in Washington, D.C. along with her only sibling, her sister Clarice Elizabeth Bias, Joyce helped to desegregate from East High School in Columbus, Ohio in 1958 after the family moved there. The family permanently settled in Baltimore, Maryland where Joyce attended and obtained her degree from Provident Nursing School. As a neophyte nurse, she assisted with the birth of her sister’s second child, Lisa in 1963. This was extremely comforting due to the fact that family was not allowed to be present in the delivery room as is the custom today. While pursuing nursing, Joyce resumed her acquaintance with and married Robert Fitzgerald in 1965. The couple resided in Columbus, Ohio. After 10 years of marriage, Joyce returned to Baltimore to continue her education. She received an undergraduate degree from Morgan State University. While working full time as a Private Duty Nurse, Joyce attended night school at the University of Baltimore Law School and obtained her law degree. Joyce had many interests. She loved live jazz music and the many dogs that she would own over the years. She called them her children. Joyce was also interested in politics and had many spirited discussions with her in-laws; the Mitchell family of Maryland. She also contributed to both her nieces and nephew’s campaigns. “Social” was Joyce’s middle name. On numerous occasions, she was among the crowd in New York’s Times Square to welcome in the New Year. She loved a good game of cards and will also be remembered for her love of cooking. She catered informally for many social gatherings but also for several weddings such as her life long friends, Pat and Mohammed Sheikh, her nephew, Clarence and her sister’s second wedding to Ronald C. Wheatley. Joyce spent retirement years with the assistance of her sister, lovingly caring for their mother, Willard who suffered for a decade with Alzheimer’s disease. Joyce is survived by her sister Clarice E. Wheatley, her brother-in-law Ronald C. Wheatley, her companion Raymond Stokley, her nephew State Senator Clarence M. Mitchell, IV, her niece Lisa Mitchell Sennaar, her nephew-in-law Kamau Sennaar, great nephews and nieces, aunts, cousins, and a host of friends.

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Joyce Anita Fitzgerald

December 9, 1940 - December 16, 2011